The formation of metastases, or secondary cancer, is a process resulting from the transfer of cells from the primary tumour through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to various organs and organ systems.
Formation of Metastases in the Spine is quite common; secondary cancer most often occurs in the spinal column, ribs, pelvic bones, shoulder, and femur bones. Secondary cancer (metastases) in bones is much more common than primary malignant lesions of bone tissue.
Complete Destruction of Metastases in the Spine: Treatment in Israel at Top Ihilov Clinic
Specialists at the clinic begin treatment for bone tissue metastases after a thorough examination of the patient; the treatment method is selected based on all necessary data and the individual characteristics of the patient's body. Several different methods for combating secondary bone cancer are successfully used at the clinic.
1) Chemotherapy — effectively slows tumour growth and suppresses the proliferation of atypical cells; it is used when the tumour is sensitive to chemotherapy drugs.
2) Hormone Therapy — used in the treatment of metastases arising from hormonally active tumours (breast cancer, prostate cancer, etc.).
3) Radiotherapy — a three-dimensional modelling of the tumour is performed using a computer program, after which radiation of a specific dosage is directed at the pathological focus. The more accurately the particle flow is directed, the more effective the treatment will be (up to complete regression of the metastases). Radiotherapy is most often used in the treatment of solitary small metastases.
4) Radiofrequency Ablation — a special needle is inserted into the tumour, through which an electric current passes, destroying the neoplasm.
5) Surgical Intervention — used to alleviate symptoms (relieving pain syndrome, etc.).
Accurate Diagnosis of Metastases in the Spine
The diagnosis of secondary bone cancer at the Top Ihilov Medical Center in Israel is conducted using various methods, both traditional and the most modern and highly effective. The main diagnostic method at the clinic is osteoscintigraphy — a radioisotope study that allows for the detection of metastatic processes in bone tissue at the earliest stages. Another extremely effective and increasingly popular method among oncologists is the radioisotope research method PET CT (positron emission tomography), which is successfully used in many developed countries, including Israel. In addition, the "Top Ihilov" clinic employs more traditional diagnostic studies, such as X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (CT and MRI), blood laboratory tests, and tumour markers.